Welcome to our rugby league blog and stay with us throughout the day as we take a look at all the latest news and gossip regarding our clubs Hull FC and Hull KR.

We start with Hull KR and the Robins are edging closer to a Super League return after defeating Featherstone 30-18 on the road yesterday afternoon.

There are many different permutations which could see Rovers promoted next weekend if they win their fifth consecutive match in the middle 8s. More on this in the blog below.

Meanwhile, we’ll have the full interview from Leeds coach Brian McDermott for you in the blog after he heavily criticised Hull players following FC’s 38-26 defeat at the Rhinos last Thursday.

Hull face Wigan Warriors on Friday night in a huge top-four battle as the Challenge Cup finalists meet again. But the shape the Black and Whites will be in should largely be determined today.

We will find out this afternoon whether Gareth Ellis, who was sin-binned for a crusher tackle, and Steve Michaels, who was put on report for elbowing Leeds’ Jack Walker in the face, are in trouble with the law.

And finally, for all those FC fans considering a trip to New South Wales, Australia next February, we’ll have the latest ticket and travel news.

Liam Harris, who has played on dual-registration terms for York City Knights for a lengthy period this year, is shortlisted for the League One Young Player of the Year.

DREAM DEBUT: Hull KR's Liam Harris. (Image: Hull KR)

14:57Gareth Westmorland

Maguire not heading to Wire

Warrington have strongly denied any link to Michael Maguire becoming their coach from the 2018 campaign.

Rumours are rife that the former Wigan boss is on his way out of NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs, with the Wolves named as a potential destination by Australian media reports.

WARRINGTON LINK: Michael Maguire. (Image: Getty Images)

But the Wire have denied the link, with Tony Smith contracted at the club until the end of next term.

14:42Gareth Westmorland

This was a great score for KR

13:44Paul Clarke

Latest Hull FC injury news

Hull FC's Fetuli Talanoa

12:23

French expansion plans

Plans to develop rugby league throughout France were unveiled at the weekend by the French Rugby League Federation.

The Federation aims to create a Super XIII summer league beginning in 2019. Up to 13 teams are to be created in each of France’s thirteen regions, according to League Express.

The competition will run for 13 weeks from June to September and players will come from existing Elite 1 clubs.

12:17Paul Clarke

Head-butt incident

We are fully expecting to see Leeds Rhinos veteran Rob Burrow called up by the disciplinary this afternoon following his head-butt on Hull FC back Jake Connor.

IN TROUBLE? Leeds' Rob Burrow. (Image: SWpix )

Somehow missed by the officials despite several replays being shown across Headingley Stadium last Thursday, Burrow escaped punishment on the field but you’d expect to see some kind of retrospective punishment today.

11:43

Hull KR player ratings

Hull KR reporter Gareth Westmorland assesses the player performances from the 30-18 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the Qualifiers.

PLAYER RATINGS: Featherstone Rovers vs Hull KR.

10:59Paul Clarke

Ellis still bewildered by yellow card

Hull FC captain Gareth Ellis has opened up on his sin-binning during the Black and Whites’ 38-26 defeat at Leeds Rhinos last Thursday, with the back rower still unsure why he was sent to the sidelines.

“I didn’t understand my sin bin and I still don’t know what I got yellow carded for,” Ellis told League Express. “The referee said dangerous contact, but I think it was just a bit harsh, I’ve only been sin binned a few times, and never by the video referee before.

“It wasn’t a crusher. It’s rugby league, you get caught in certain positions all the time, and I’ve spoken to (Stevie) Ward and he’s okay.”

10:31Gareth Westmorland

Betts wants licensing return

Widnes coach Denis Betts called for the return of the licensing system, after watching his side take a significant step towards retaining their Super League status by beating Leigh at the weekend.

The licensing system, introduced to enable clubs to lay solid foundations by guaranteeing their top-flight status for at least three years, was ditched in 2014 to make way for the return of promotion and relegation via the radical Super 8s format.

Hull KR became the first victims of the system last October when they lost the controversial Million Pound Game to Salford while Leigh and Catalans Dragons are in danger of treading a similar path this time after winning just two of their four Qualifiers so far.

I’m not sure why this competition’s here. Leigh need time - we were given three years.

Leigh and Widnes are two really good clubs who deserve to be in Super League. You can’t recruit, you can’t get sponsorship, you’re struggling to get players out there because of how hard the season has been.

We’ve put ourselves in a situation where the game’s not strong enough to take it. We haven’t got enough teams to create one competition let alone three.

You’ve got to look at the sides in the Championship and what they’re doing. Do Featherstone want to be a Super League side? Are Halifax able to? Can London?

Definitely Hull KR can and Leigh have shown they’re a Super League side. But you’ve got to give the Super League sides the right to stay there. Give Leigh a licence for three years and say develop all these kids playing around here.

You can invest in that. We are not developing the game, we’re not enhancing the game.

I haven’t seen a good game in this competition. I’ve seen some hair-raising games and some jeopardy and people a bit fearful. But I haven’t seen a good game

People seem to like it because the X-factor mentality seems to rule the world. Everyone wants to see who dies - not who lives.

09:14Paul Clarke

Australia travel packages

Hull FC on tour to NSW - Package 1 - Starts from £1,949 per person

10 nights stay in a 3 hotel in Sydney - 4 options available

Economy flights included, Airport transfers available at a supplement

Tickets for both games & coach transfers to the game in Wollongong

Opportunity to watch a Hull FC training session Sydney, including chance to meet the team

Opportunity to attend official club events where itinerary permits - subject to schedule

10% discount on all ‘Hull FC on tour to NSW’ merchandise ranges which will be unveiled in 2018

Opportunities for tours and day trips where applicable

Hull FC on tour to NSW - Package 2 - Starts from £2,395 per person

4 night stay in a 4* hotel in Kiama/Wollongong

6 night stay in a 4* hotel in Sydney

Economy flights included, plus Airport transfers

Tickets for both games & coach transfers to the game in Wollongong

Opportunity to watch a Hull FC training session in Kiama or Sydney, including chance to meet the team

Opportunity to attend official club events where itinerary permits - subject to schedule

10% discount on all ‘Hull FC on tour to NSW’ merchandise ranges which will be unveiled in 2018

McDermott slams Hull stars

Brian McDermott took aim at Hull players without naming them last Thursday after Leeds’ 38-26 win. He had a go at one individual (Danny Washbrook) for letting go of the ball on the back of a Rhinos player, whilst he accused certain FC players of trying to buy penalties.

“We were involved in a tackle which I thought was a reasonably dominant tackle – although not the most dominant tackle ever,” McDermott explained.

“There was a bit of confusion and then one of the Hull players just decided to let go of the ball. He clearly just let go of the ball and then looked at the referee to say ‘you have to award me a penalty’.

Lee Radford and Brian McDermott (Image: SWpix)

“My players do it too, but I don’t encourage it and I don’t think Lee Radford will either.

“I cannot get across just how frustrating it is when the referee then goes, ‘okay, I’ll award you a penalty’ like he’s giving a small child the attention it needs.

“That’s the problem with the game. Our players don’t have to work out how to get out of tough situations through smart play, through a bit of strength and carrying or a bit of toughness.

“They just throw themselves about and say to the referee, ‘can you get us out please?’

08:37KEY EVENT

State of play regarding Hull FC suspension news

The Black and Whites are bracing themselves today for a high tackle charge on Steve Michaels, who took out Jack Walker with an elbow to the face off the ball last Thursday in the 38-26 defeat at Leeds Rhinos.

Michaels could miss FC’s home clash with Wigan Warriors on Friday night due to a suspension, while we’ll find out the verdict on Gareth Ellis after his sin-binning against Leeds when the disciplinary charges are announced this afternoon. FC are hoping Ellis doesn’t see a ban after the innocuous incident which saw the Rhinos’ Stevie Ward briefly leave the field.

08:34

Welcome and we start with Hull KR

After Hull KR secured a fourth straight win in the Qualifiers with a 30-18 win over Featherstsone Rovers, we look at the promotion possibilities for the Robins.